r of Antwerp. It is a
long voyage and a perilous one, but with the protection of Providence,
our provisions held out, and on the fourth night after we sailed,
a violent shock shook the vessel from stem to stern, and we found
ourselves against the quay of Antwerp.

When I reached my brother's house I found him in bed, sick; the doctors
said it was a dropsy, I don't know how that might be, for he drank
more gin than any man in Holland, and hated water all his life. We were
twins, but no one would have thought so, I looked so thin and meagre
beside him.

Well, since I was there, I resolved to see the sights of the town; and
the next morning, after breakfast, I set out by myself, and wandered
about till evening. Now there were many things to be seen--very strange
things too; the noise, and the din, and the bustle, addled and confused
me; the people were running here and there, shouting as if they were
mad, and there were great flags hanging out of the windows, and drums
beating, and, stranger than all, I saw little soldiers with red
breeches and red shoulder-knots, running about like monkeys.

"What is all this?" said I to a man near me.

"Methinks," said he, "the burgomaster himself might well, know what it
is."

"I am not the burgomaster," quoth I, "I am his brother, and only came
from Rotterdam yesterday."

"Ah! then," said another, with a strange grin, "you didn't know these
preparations were meant to welcome your arrival."

"No," said I; "but they are very fine, and if there were not so much
noise, I would like them well."

And so, I sauntered on till I came to the great Platz, opposite the
cathedral--that was a fine place--and there was a large man carved in
cheese over one door, very wonderful to see; and there was a big fish,
all gilt, where they sold herrings; but, in the town-hall there seemed
something more than usual going on, for great crowds were there, and
dragoons were galloping in and galloping out, and all was confusion.

"What's this?" said I. "Are the dykes open?"

But not one would mind me; and then suddenly I heard some one call out
my name.

"Where is Van Hoogendorp?" said one; and then another cried, "Where is
Van Hoogendorp?"

"Here am I," said I; and the same moment two officers, covered with gold
lace, came through "the crowd, and took me by the arms.

"Come along with us, Monsieur de Hoogendorp," said they, in French;
"there is not a moment to lose; we have been looking for you e